The Federal Government has instituted criminal proceedings against an Abuja-based medical practitioner, John Onuwabhagbe Abebe, over allegations of fraud, criminal conspiracy, unlawful disclosure of patients’ records, and the alleged sale of embryos.
Abebe, who is also identified as a pastor at Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) in Durumi, Abuja, is charged alongside his hospital, Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited. The case raises serious questions about medical ethics and patient confidentiality.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants mishandled sensitive reproductive information and unlawfully obtained millions of naira from a couple seeking fertility treatment. These actions are said to contravene health and anti-fraud laws.
The charges were filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory under suit number CV/005/26 by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the matter is currently before Justice A. A. Fashola.
In one count, the prosecution alleged: “That you 1. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe ‘M’ 54 years, 2. Joje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited… within the Abuja Judicial Division… without their authorisation or consent abused your office and released their secret medical record to members of the public… And that you thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 299 of the National Health Act, 2014.”
Another count stated in part: “That you 1. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe ‘M’ 54 Yrs, 2. JOJE ABEBE FERTILITY CENTER LIIMITED… did on or about the 17th September, 2025… breach the confidential agreement… vis-à-vis on the 6th August, 2025… attached their medical history… to a document title Demand Pre- Action Notice… which were later exposed to some other members of the public… And that you thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 29 of the National Health Act, 2014.”
In a third allegation, prosecutors claimed: “That you 1. John Onuwabhagbe Abebe ‘M’ 54 years, 2. Jeje Abebe Fertility Centre Limited… between the month of January to May 2025… with intent to defraud by false pretense deceived, and duped Mrs Mary Manga and her husband to the tune of N19 million (N19,000,000)… under the pretense that you are specialized in Invitro Fertilization (IVF)… and converted the whole money and some of their embryos to your own use.” The charge cites Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
The government further alleged that the embryos created for the couple were sold to other patients, an accusation that, if substantiated, could amount to one of the most serious fertility-related controversies in recent years.
The proceedings are expected to test the application of the National Health Act, 2014, and federal anti-fraud legislation, as the court examines issues surrounding confidentiality, professional conduct and financial dealings within specialised medical practice.
